Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-03-02
Ghosts.
A MANsEON THAT NO ONE CAN LIVE
IN.
WITH A MYSTERIOUS BURDEN-INvIsIBLE
HANDS.

FRANKLIN Fl. North in Boston Herald.l
The strollers along Fifth avenue must
have often observed, while passing Eighty
sixth street, fine, new brown-stOne man
sion that is always tenantless An air of
perennial gloom seems to hover over it, and
the vacant lot separating it from Eighty
sixth street-a deep, rocky, unkempt sort
of lot, with its occasional tomato-can, sar-
dine-box, and hoepskirt-makes the great
wall of brick that frowns down upon it
look the more bare and melancholy.
Now and then family is induced to
move into the house by some of the real
estate agents that have it on their lists
Carts and furniture vans roll up to the door
and deposit heavy burdens of costly furni-
ture. Carpets are put down, the windows
polished, the halls scrubbed, and an air of
life and animation is given to the place
But only for a few weeks. Then the carts
and the vans come back, the furniture is
taken out again, the carpets come up, the
pictures come down from the walls, and
once more the house is left solemn, silent,
and tenantless. 1t seems there is mys-
terry about this house, and the nature OF
the mystery l propose to describe in the
words of friend of mine who is familiar
with it's history.
The house is said to belong to the estate
Of the late John Reach, the shipbuilder,
and though it is some two years old, no
family has yet been found willing to re-
main in it save for very short PERIOD
They were disturbed during the day and
awakened at night by strange sounds and
moving, though unseen forms, and once
out, declared they would not re-enter were
they to have the house without the pay
meut of a dollar.
Some little time ago family, consisting
of young man, his wife, and three chill
dren, moved in. The agent promised to
put the house in thorough repair, and SO,
when it was discerned that the pipes were
out of order they notified him, and he at
once sent an expert plumber. This man
and his assistants discovering
THE SEAT OF THE TROUBLE
to be in the cellar, went down there, and
were soon at work bammering and solder
| ing and tinkering, as is their won't. But
they didn't stay very long; not even long
| enough to complete their work. On the
second day of their labers they suddenly
and without explanation knocked of work
and quit the place. "What do you mean
by. leaving your work half-fnished and
everything in disorder?' demanded the
new occupant (whom I shall call Mr..
Smith), as he hurried into the plum mbsr's
shop. "Well," replied the plumber,
brusquely, 1--WE can't work down in no eel
lar like that-there's too much draught.' u
Can't work in a cellar, because of a
draught ?'' replied the surprised Mr.
Smith, repeating the words, ''why in thun
der didn't you stop the draught ?' "Oh, il
don't make no difference" said the plumb
er, evidently i'll at ease and embarrassed,
1--WE can't work there, and that's all about
it," The man did not mean to be insoent
he only seemed anxious to give up the job
He was pale and he stammered as he spoke
'sBut why don't yeu take your tools out i
you'v We given up the job ?''S% demanded Mr.
Smith. "Oh, never mind the TOOLS" was
the reply 1--WE amt going back there fol
no tools nor for nuthin' else.'
It was but natural that Mr.. Smith should
be surprised at this remarkable behavior O.
the plumber, who was willing, not only tt
give up q good-paying job, but to lose {
kit of valuable tools. He did not tell hi
wife about the matter for fear of frighten
ing her, but he spoke of it to several of hil
friends.
i 1t was not long after this when som'